“You can’t mean that.” She cried big heaving sobs, but I wasn’t fooled. Her crocodile tears wouldn’t work on me, not anymore.
“Your acting coach teach you how to cry on cue?”
Her lips twisted into an ugly smirk. “My tears are real, you heartless bastard. I’ll end you, and I’ll end this shit hole bar of yours. One word from me and I’ll make sure you never work in this town again. This place’ll be closed within the day.”
“You threatening me?”
“No one rejects me. I could buy and sell you a hundred times over, and as for your little girlfriend, her career is over before it’s even begun.”
I pointed up to the corner of the room. “See those cameras up there? They just recorded every word you said. If you do anything to Nat or me, I’ll post those videos everywhere I can.”
A small flicker of fear showed in her eyes, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. “I’d sue you.”
“Go right ahead.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Get help, Montana. Go to rehab.”
“Rehab? Please.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me. “I’m not an alcoholic. I don’t have a problem.”
“Sure you don’t. What time did you have your first drink today? Breakfast?”
“None of your business.”
“Why did you really come here? Don’t think about trying to feed me some horse shit about how much you missed me.”
Her shoulders sagged. “Life was easier when I sang here. I could walk down the street and go for dinner without having a hundred cameras pointed in my face. I can’t even take a crap without paparazzi camping outside my door, and if my records don’t hit number one on release day, I’m called a has-been. There are days I wish I’d never had any success at all. I want what I had with you.”
For just a second, she looked like the young, wide-eyed woman who’d strolled into my bar all those years ago—lost and vulnerable.
“When you walked away from me, you left that life behind. I hope you find whatever you’re looking for, but you won’t find it here with me. Please leave.”
She swallowed hard and rolled back her shoulders. “I guess I’ll get going. Thanks for nothing. A long time ago you said you’d always be there for me. Guess that was a lie.”
She turned to leave, and I couldn’t believe what I was about to say. “Go stay on the ranch for a while. Take some time off. The holiday cabins are secluded enough. You won’t be bothered.”
“Like your mom will agree to that.” She looked over her shoulder and gave me a watery laugh. “She hates me.”
“You broke my heart. You treated me like dirt. She hates what you did, not who you are.”
“Nope. Pretty sure it’s hate.”
“Suit yourself. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
“I’m tired, Colt,” she said in a small voice. “You’re right, I need to get away. Maybe after this tour, I’ll take some time off and go hide out in the wilderness.” She threw her arms around my neck and buried her head in my chest. “I’ll get sober. This time I mean it.”
Although we’d been intimate a thousand times or more and had seen each other at our best and worst, having her in my arms felt like I was hugging a distant relative.
Her visit was an unwelcome one, but it was one I’d needed to put the past where it belonged. I was ready to move on with my life and let Nat know how I felt. Time to be honest about my feelings for her.
There was a knock on the office door, but before I could ask who was there, Nat stormed in. The devastation on her face when she saw Montana in my arms all but broke my heart.
“You fucking bastard,” she spat, her face turning to steel.
Natalie
I couldn’t catch my breath and held on to the doorframe to stop from collapsing. My chest hurt so much I was sure my heart was cracking into a million pieces. How the fuck could he do this? The lyin’, cheatin’, no-good son of a cocksucker.
If she was back for him, I didn’t stand a chance. Smoking hot millionaire country singer or down on her luck penniless wannabe. Not a hard choice to make.
Angry tears flowed down my face and dripped from my chin. I needed to get as far away from him as I possibly could.
I shoved away from the office door and bolted toward the apartment. The only things I wanted were my notebooks. I’d grab my guitar from the stage on the way out.
Why hadn’t he been honest about Montana? Told me that my idol was the one who’d stomped his heart to smithereens?
How could I have fallen so hard for someone incapable of confiding in me? All this time, he was waiting for her to come back. Was that the reason he’d posted the video of me online—to make her jealous so she’d come running?
I wasn’t sure how, but I’d find somewhere else to live and somewhere else to sing. I’d busk every hour God gave me on every street corner to make ends meet if I had to.
I didn’t need him.
I didn’t need anyone.
Men couldn’t be relied on because, in the end, they’d either hurt you with their fists, their words, or their actions.
Not only was I furious at him, but I was also pissed at myself for being so fucking dumb.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I’d honestly thought he was the one.
“Nattie, wait,” he called, running into the apartment after me. “Let me explain.”
“Don’t come near me,” I sobbed, turning to face him. “Why didn’t you tell me? You know how
